MAIN COMMITTEE

Although the Main Committee was scheduled to meet at 11:00 am, it
did not convene until after 12:00, as informal consultations
continued. During the course of the day, the Committee examined
outstanding issues in the non-paper on Section D of Chapter XV,
Institutional Arrangements, Monitoring and Review; the EU proposals
on finance; and the non-paper on the rest of Chapter XV.

In paragraph 1 on new financing mechanisms, AOSIS/G-77 wanted to
retain reference to a new international funding mechanism, while
many developed countries felt that this would be counter-productive
and not in the SIDS' interest. In paragraph 2(b), informal
consultations were successful and the new version, as amended,
includes a review of implementation of the Programme of Action by
the CSD in 1996, by the special session of the General Assembly
(UNGA) in 1997, in conjunction with the overall review of Agenda
21, and a full review of the Programme of Action in 1999. In the
afternoon, the US removed its reservation on paragraph 2(c), the
UNGA's consideration of Conference follow-up.

Paragraph 7 was finally adopted in the afternoon and the last
sentence now reads "to this end, the necessary resources should be
provided, relying on the most efficient and cost-effective use of
resources to fulfill the following functions." In paragraph 15, the
reference to both private and public resources remained in
brackets.

In paragraph 17, consultations resulted in removal of the brackets
around "regional economic integration organizations," which should
also take the Programme of Action into account when formulating
policy. Agreed language on paragraph 18 now accepts the concept of
autonomy for regional commissions in implementation and that they
act as focal points for the coordination of follow-up. New language
for paragraph 19 was accepted: "The Secretary-General in his report
to the 49th UN General Assembly, requested in paragraph 12, should
also report on progress made in the implementation of other
recommendations above, including a section on the action taken by
regional commissions to implement the Programme of Action,
particularly at the sub-regional level."

Paragraph 115, which also addresses institutional arrangements, was
moved to this section as paragraph 1 bis.

When the negotiations resumed on the new non-paper on Chapter XV,
agreement was reached on paragraph 67. The specific reference to
Chapter 23.2 of Agenda 21 was deleted and a new first sentence was
proposed, with exact language from Chapter 23.1. Agreement was
reached on paragraph 92 on commodity markets. The new language
provides for better functioning and transparent markets, and
assistance to SIDS in their efforts to achieve greater
diversification of their commodity sectors.

The Chair invited delegations to comment on the EU proposal on
finance. The Chair of the G-77 said that the Programme of Action is
already limited due to SIDS' appreciation of constraints on
resources; nevertheless it does reveal a need for new and
additional financial resources. Agenda 21 accepts shared
responsibility for problems and their causation, yet now SIDS are
expected to bear the bulk of the burden themselves. She criticized
the reliance on the GEF, which was replenished at the lowest
possible level and whose funds are not available to all SIDS due to
per capita income constraints. She also criticized the
over-emphasis on the private sector, which is not strong enough in
some SIDS to marshal adequate funds. China added its voice to that
of the G-77, stating that the EU proposal was disappointing. The EU
stressed again its three-part approach: the better use of existing
resources; prioritization of ODA; and the mobilization of new and
additional financial resources. Sweden said that it would like to
see the 0.7% target for ODA included in the text. It was agreed
that the text in A/CONF.167/L.1 would form the basis for
negotiation and that the Chair would conduct informal
consultations.

On paragraph 69, the finance paragraph in the national
implementation section, the brackets were removed around the first
sentence. Brackets remained around the second and third sentences
dealing with environmental goals and the reordering of priorities,
respectively. In the discussion on paragraph 82, AOSIS asked the
authors of an amendment still in brackets if they were trying to
imply that SIDS governments were corrupt and inefficient. The first
set of brackets around the improved access to financial resources
was removed.

On paragraph 88, concerning finance, one country introduced a new
chapeau, which did not cover the key points required by other
groups. There was concern that the Programme of Action should refer
to the provision of new and additional financial resources, not
only their mobilization, as was the case in Chapter 33.10 of Agenda
21. A suggested composite text to cover paragraph 88(b)-(e) was
proposed, based on consultations held at the resumed session of the
PrepCom. This was circulated in writing. Other amendments to the
tirets were offered. The Chair noted that 88(a) is not bracketed,
but that its ideas may appear in a composite text. Consultations
will ensue.

In paragraph 89, the majority wanted reference to the CSD working
group deleted. New, more concise language was proposed,
highlighting the role that the CSD will play in monitoring and
advancing new and innovative approaches.